03/09/2026
🏃 Employee Spotlight | The Journey to 42.2 km
We’re proud to celebrate an incredible personal achievement by an employee of BDO Darwin, Chrispen Mahachi, who recently completed the 2026 Sydney Marathon — crossing the finish line after an impressive 42.2 km.
But this achievement wasn’t simply about running a marathon. It was a journey of determination, resilience and perseverance, particularly after an unexpected injury put training on hold for almost five months.
From barely being able to run 1 km when training began, to completing a marathon in 5 hours, 29 minutes and 34 seconds, Chrispen’s story is a great reminder that progress isn’t always a straight line — and sometimes, simply keeping going is the biggest achievement.
Here’s his story, in his own words:
“The journey began with a phone call from a friend encouraging me to apply for the marathon. I submitted my application and, fortunately or unfortunately, secured a spot!
When training started in October 2025, I could barely jog 1 km without having to stop and catch my breath.
By January, I was feeling stronger and gaining confidence in my training. However, things took an unexpected turn when a knee injury struck. The recovery process lasted nearly five months and involved physiotherapy sessions as well as an MRI scan.
By June, I was finally feeling better and able to get back on the road, but there was not enough time left to build significant mileage. As a result, I managed only 320 km of running for the year leading into the event.
Fortunately, the strength training I had consistently done in the gym paid off on marathon day. It helped me keep pushing through the challenges and maintain an average pace of 7 minutes and 38 seconds per kilometre, crossing the finish line in 5 hours, 29 minutes, and 34 seconds.
A heartfelt thank you to my family, friends, and the entire BDO family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. This achievement is not the finish line, but rather the beginning of many more adventures to come.”
Congratulations, Chrispen Mahachi!
From 1 km to 42.2 km, your marathon journey is an incredible achievement and a fantastic example of resilience, commitment and determination.
Here’s to the next adventure! 👏🥇
